The SketchUp file (.skp) is the easiest solution for importing into nearly all 3D modeling programs and easier to quickly modify a space (for a renovation project, for example, where the "as built" plans no longer exist.

And, just because the object file is free does not mean you should give it away.

The data that the camera captures has huge value. For example, if the architect does not have the original floor plans in CAD software, the architect needs to spend a ton of time measuring the space, taking photos and then re-create the space in 3D software.

With the data that the Matterport Camera captures, the architect can begin designing immediately.

By the way, now you have the "before" ... Once the construction is done, quote on doing the "after". That's a great visual storytelling solution for both the architect and general contractor.

I hope this above helps you get business from architects and general contractors that are doing renovation projects.

the OBJ file that you get with the matterport scan will be quite useless in CAD meant for architects and contractors.

this is because the OBJ file will be made up of messy geometry that cant be edited efficiently.

the most the architect and contractor can do is to use the OBJ file to 'trace it' and re-draw their 3D based on it. But still the OBJ file will not have a level of accuracy (mm detail etc) required in architectural work.

Usually scanning for converting to architecture drawings is done by laser scanners like FaroFocus 3D etc. They will create a point cloud which software like Autodesk can import in and 'tracing' can be done.

one of a the potencial clients is a constructor and needs the file to make the renovation, they have new construction going but they need also to (change color walls, floors, adding furniture etc. ''With AutoCad''

So if I understand right this can be done with the resulting files of veriscian.

1) Is a mathematical definition of a cube. 6 square faces at perfect 90 deg to each other and lets say 1000mm each edge.

2) Is a 3D point cloud. Point clouds are usually created only by scanning hardware. 3d scanners, LIDAR, or for us, Matterport. That is why when you scan in matterport, in your capture app, you see all these little dots.

- depending on the resolution of the 3d scanner, the point cloud (just points in XYZ space) can be very very dense, or not so dense. In matterport, I believe it isnt a very dense scan.

3) From these point clouds, a 3d MESH (geometry) is created.
This can be done by computers / softwares / plugins etc.
The easiest way to create meshes (OBJ etc) is to triangulate.
Find 3 dots on roughly the same plane and make it into a triangle. You may end up with a slightly lumpy imperfect cube of say 980mm one edge, 1050mm other edge, an no perfect flat faces.

- in professional scanning software that comes with professional scanners(Like FaroFocus), you can probably control the density of the mesh (like what I sketched...many triangles or few triangles). You can also probably do some 'smart / intelligent' meshing.

- a cube looking like this in (4) can only usually be modelled by a human brain. To my knowledge, computers and software cannot do a good job of making (3) to become (4).

-------So, to answer your question------

Matterport camera scans the space in (2) I think. (point cloud)

It converts it to (3). OBJ Mesh. When it does this,
you PROBABLY lose resolution to become a model with fewer triangles than it could actually produce.

Hence to use Veriscian to convert OBJ back to PTS, I THINK it is moving backwards, you dont get the original resolution that matterport camera could scan at.

You can import (2) or (3) into many different 3d softwares
like Autocad / 3dsmax. But they are only useful to SEE and TRACE over.

So in the case of a interior room, it is faster for a technician to use a point cloud to re-draw / re-model, import into 3dsmax/autocad and re-model it, compared to re-modelling the interior room from scratch.

BUT to do things like change materials, etc (all the useful things CAD software does), the model / mesh needs to be something like (4).

I think your contractor maybe wants (4) and not (3) or (2).
To get (3) or (2) looking like (4), you need Human version 2016

Even between 3d software formats, things can get messy.
Eg, SKP to 3DS max, or vice versa, you can get a triangulated model.

BTW, I hope you dont miunderstand that OBJ is a messy/bad format. OBJ is just the file format. The content is the issue.

Just like a word document file can contain rubbish like
"kajd;fja;fkja;sfjk;hgpiajsfoadf;kf"

A Obj file can contain something useful like (4) or something less useful like(3)

I really like @aerialpixels summary of the file types. Very clear explanation of what can be a confusing world of CAD file types.

To add an earlier comment, I would agree that the Matterport OBJ (or other derivative format) by itself is not immediately useful for architects/engineers/contractors. Most AEC users will generally still need a CAD drafter to "trace" a Matterport scan with CAD software (most AEC users will have the CAD drafting talent to do this either in-house or via sub contractors). However, even with the necessary manual manipulation, Matterport can still save a tremendous amount of time when compared to the alternative of creating a model from scratch.

Further, one of the most popular use cases we have seen for Matterport amongst AEC users has been to verify installations. i.e architects + engineers designed and modelled a new building in CAD, contractors have finished installing as per the design/model, now lets check that everything has been installed as per the design and update the CAD model if anything has changed. In particular it has proved most useful for verifying the installation of building services - eg. ductwork, heating/cooling, water/drainage, fire services, cable trays etc. For this type of use case Matterport is ideal because is can capture large areas quickly, cheaply, and 3D template for CAD drafters to update the model.